Nectarine tree named &#39;Nectajulie&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTAJULIE’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh of high eating quality, with red pigmentation in the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive intense and luminous skin, with a high percentage of luminous red blush. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2011/0557 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTAJULIE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘NECTAJULIE’. This new tree produces fruits with a longshelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completionand after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone yellow fleshfruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France. Contrast is made to the ‘NECTAJULIE’ parents, ‘Redpearl’ (nonpatented) yellow nectarine tree and ‘Nectariane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,707) yellow nectarine tree, for reliable description. ‘NECTAJULIE’ isa promising candidate for commercial success in that it has veryattractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration beforeafter harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTAJULIE’ yellow nectarine tree originated in a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where itwas tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTAJULIE’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the‘Redpearl’ (non patented) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as theseed parent, and the ‘Nectariane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) yellownectarine tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘NECTAJULIE’ wasprovisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a geneticprofile, under number 4N.02.95 NJ ASF 0613 and was registered at theOfficial Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic onNov. 23, 2010 under number 4047119. The ‘NECTAJULIE’ variety wasobtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc InraMontclar’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to haveunique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercialfresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standardrootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexuallypropagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree blooms at the endof February or during March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France. More particularly, it blooms between February 24^(th) and March19^(th), generally together with ‘Nectariane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,707).

The first fruit of ‘NECTAJULIE’ nectarine tree ripens at the end of Julyor early in August, generally about 5 or 6 days later than ‘Nectariane’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707). More particularly, it approximately ripensbetween July 19^(th) and August 3^(rd). However, it was observed thatits early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climaticconditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows two whole fruits and leaves ofthe new variety, and a third fruit, cut in half with the stone left inone of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTAJULIE’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared tosemi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shootis present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginningof flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end ofFebruary or during March. The type of flower is non showy with verysmall petal size. Petals are purplish pink. Leaf glands are present andreniform. The fruit flesh is yellow to orange without pigmentationinside the flesh, and fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous redblush and an orange red background. The stone is medium size. Fruittaste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘Nectariane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) yellow nectarinetree, ‘NECTAJULIE’ variety has approximately the same time of bloomingbut comparatively ripens 5 or 6 days later, as set forth above.‘NECTAJULIE’ variety produces an amount of flowers higher than‘Nectariane’; moreover, ‘NECTAJULIE’ fruits are superior to ‘Nectariane’fruits; color of ‘NECTAJULIE’ fruits is more luminous and intense than‘Nectariane’ fruits.

The new variety male parent, which is also ‘Nectariane’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 17,707), was chosen as a genitor because of its regular andconsiderable productivity. ‘Nectariane’ variety produces non showyflowers.

The new variety female parent, which is the ‘Redpearl’ (non patented)yellow nectarine tree has also an interesting level of productivity. Thefruits of ‘Redpearl’ have a balanced flavour, compared to ‘NECTAJULIE’fruits which have a semi-sweet taste. ‘Redpearl’ fruits are veryattractive and homogenous in presentation, with their circular shape andtheir luminous red and orange coloration on 90% of the fruit skin.‘Redpearl’ variety ripening comparatively begins approximately threeweeks later than the new variety's ripening, generally at the end ofAugust or early in September.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observationshave been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc InraMontclar’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first            year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during            each following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to            80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next            years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm with current            season shoots length comprised. The tree size is            consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous or medium vigorous.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. Generally between 40 and 45 flowers            per meter. The fruit distribution is considered homogenous            on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.            Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the tree            valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the            years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NECTAJULIE’ variety has a naturally semi-flared            to semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant            to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 9.0 cm and 11.0 cm in            diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm            above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, generally between            5 and 7 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 3.0 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters in width,            and from 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered            brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B to C).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown color (RHS Brown            N 200 C) to a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 A to C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to large for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 30.0            to 40.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 65            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 30.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A            to B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is 3.49.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 156.0 to 184.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is 173.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 46.0 to 55.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 50.1 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137            A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 137 B to C)            than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow            Green 150 D). The color may change with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            6.0 to about 8.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 146 C to D). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 146 D).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small to medium. Their            length is about 1.0 millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 or 3            glands per leaf. Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves,            leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS Green 144            A to B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark            brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 8.0 millimeters wide and approximately 12.0            millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent            upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of            development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the            sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to            C or Grey Brown Group 199 A); the corolla, formed by the            petals, is generally of dark pink color (RHS Red Purple 63 B            to C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            blooming.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally early in March. The first bloom was            observed on Mar. 1, 2003.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed on March, at the middle of the            blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with            climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first            full bloom was observed on Mar. 1, 2003. Last observed            blooming times were Mar. 6, 2007 then Feb. 24, 2008, then            Mar. 2, 2009, then Mar. 19, 2010, then Mar. 1, 2011.        -   Duration of bloom.—Between 10 and 12 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a non showy            type flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered small. Flower diameter at full bloom            is approximately 18.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45            flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate            of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered small to very small.            Length. — Generally about 12.0 millimeters. Width. —            Generally about 8.5 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Elongated-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, sweet and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Purplish Pink (RHS Red Purple 63 B to C).        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a            truncated form. Length. — Approximately 1.2 millimeters.            Width. — Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Color. — A darker            purplish pink than the petal color.        -   Petal margins.—Generally smooth.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally            curve-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and            having an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0            millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately            2.0 millimeters. Color. — A brown to light brown (RHS Grey            Brown N199 B to C).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is matt and            considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to D). The            outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown            (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to C) color.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,            fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. —            Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 3.5            millimeters. Form. — Ovate Color. — Matt Red (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B to C or RHS Grey Brown 199A).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 45            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — Red to            orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A).            The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C) which may evolve with            maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 10.0 and 16.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally equal            to the pistil's length, if not slightly smaller.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C to D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to B). The color evolves            during the blooming.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters including            the ovary; Generally equal to filaments length, if not            slightly superior to filaments in length. Color. —            Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D or RHS            Yellow Green 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming.            Surface texture. — Non pubescent.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 3, 2003.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTAJULIE            variety has a medium date of picking and a grouped maturity.            The maturity is grouped within 9 to 14 days and the harvest            is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times            begin Jul. 20, 2007; then Jul. 22, 2008; then Jul. 30, 2009;            then Aug. 1, 2010; then Jul. 19, 2011.        -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large, and homogeneous in            size.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 73.0 to 82.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 74.0 to 84.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 230.0 to 280.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round. The fruit is generally            uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to            the whole fruit color. The suture is completely colored with            a luminous red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) on an orange red            background (RHS Red Group 46 A to B or Orange Red Group N 34            A to B).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0            millimeters. Average width is about 12.0 to 14.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,            and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong. Texture. —            Glabrous. Taste. — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level            of sugars. Tendency to crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous red            (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B). The red blush covers 40% to 70%            of the fruit skin surface with a red orange background (RHS            Red Group 46 A to B or Orange Red Group N 34 A to B). The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground            color covers 30% to 60% of the fruit skin surface, and is            considered red orange (RHS Red Group 46 A to B or Orange Red            Group N 34 A to B).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenously, slowly. Texture.            — Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at harvest            maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced.            Eating quality. — Considered very good, with a high level of            sugars. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic.            The Brix is generally superior to 13 and acidity comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very juicy at complete            maturity. Brix. — Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Orange yellow flesh (RHS            Yellow Orange 16 B to C) with no pigmentation inside the            flesh; Usually with red pigmentation (RHS Orange Red 46 A            to B) in the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, where            the pigmentation is star shaped on approximately 10.0            millimeters.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 to 35.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 24.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is pointed, with a small            prominent tip.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, ovate-shaped and            dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced            toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief            is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The            surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent            ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and            having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered orange (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B or RHS            Greyed Orange 166 B to C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent, depending on            climatic conditions between blooming period and stone            hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel size is considered medium.            Length. — Approximately 18.0 millimeters. Width. —            Approximately 12.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately            3.0 to 4.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered oblate and            elliptic. Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — The kernel skin is            an orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS Greyed            Orange 167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel,            is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 B). The kernel and its            embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTAJULIE is considered to be a            nectarine tree with a mid-season maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively and            intensely colored and very luminous. Fruits have a            semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption,            crunchy or melting and juicy when at full maturity. Fruits            have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0            degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustratedand described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orangeyellow flesh of high eating quality, with red pigmentation in the stonecavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive intense andluminous skin, with a high percentage of luminous red blush.